Thermophysical properties of tetrabutylammonium chloride, paraffin and fatty acids for thermal energy applications.

Investigating the thermophysical properties of substances is crucial for using them as phase change materials (PCMs) and heat transfer fluids (HTFs) in thermal energy applications. In this study, the thermophysical properties of three medium-temperature PCMs (around 338 K) and one ionic liquid, tetrabutylammonium chloride ([N ][Cl]), were evaluated and compared. The commercial PCMs were two fatty acids (OM65 and stearic acid) and one paraffin (RT64HC).

Rational design of a cyclohexanone dehydrogenase for enhanced α,β-desaturation and substrate specificity.

The selective α,β-desaturation of cyclic carbonyl compounds, which are found in the core of many steroid and bioactive molecules, using green chemistry is highly desirable. To achieve this task, we have for the first time described and solved the structure of a member of the cyclohexanone dehydrogenase class of enzymes. The breadth of substrate specificity was investigated by assaying the cyclohexanone dehydrogenase, from , against several cyclic ketones, lactones and lactams.

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence in a deep red dinuclear iridium(iii) complex: a hidden mechanism for short luminescence lifetimes.

The high luminescence efficiency of cyclometallated iridium(iii) complexes, including those widely used in OLEDs, is typically attributed solely to the formally spin-forbidden phosphorescence process being facilitated by spin-orbit coupling with the Ir(iii) centre. In this work, we provide unequivocal evidence that an additional mechanism can also participate, namely a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) pathway. TADF is well-established in other materials, including in purely organic compounds, but has never been observed in iridium complexes.

Stereoselective two-carbon ring expansion of allylic amines electronic control of palladium-promoted equilibria.

General methodologies enabling the two-carbon homologation of pyrrolidine and piperidine systems have yet to be developed. Herein we report that palladium-catalysed allylic amine rearrangements enable efficient two-carbon ring expansion of 2-alkenyl pyrrolidine and piperidines to their azepane and azocane counterparts. Conditions are mild, tolerant of a range of functional groups and the process can occur with high enantioretention.

Boric acid catalysed hydrolysis of peroxyacids.

This study shows for the first time that boric acid catalyses the hydrolysis of peroxyacids, resulting in an approximately 12-fold increase in hydrolysis rate for both peracetic acid (PAA) and 3-chloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA) when 0.1 M boric acid is present. The maximum rate of hydrolysis occurs at pH 9 and pH 8.

MOF-derived biochar composites for enhanced high performance photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride.

Biochar reinforced advanced nanocomposites are of interest to a wide circle of researchers. Herein, we describe a novel MOF-derived reinforced cow dung biochar composite, which was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method to form the MOF MIL-125(Ti) onto a nitrogen and sulfur co-doped bio-carbon (NSCDBC). The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum of NSCDBC/MIL-125(Ti) exhibits an extension of light absorption in the visible region (360-800 nm), indicating its higher visible light capture capacity relative to pure MIL-125(Ti).

The migration of acetochlor from feed to milk.

Acetochlor has been widely used globally for its effective weed control, but the dietary intake of associated residues by people has become a major concern nowadays. Milk is regarded as the best solvent to dissolve pesticides due to its fat-rich characteristic. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the transfer of acetochlor from feed to raw milk.

Ultraelastic Yarns from Curcumin-Assisted ELD toward Wearable Human-Machine Interface Textiles.

Intelligent human-machine interfaces (HMIs) integrated wearable electronics are essential to promote the Internet of Things (IoT). Herein, a curcumin-assisted electroless deposition technology is developed for the first time to achieve stretchable strain sensing yarns (SSSYs) with high conductivity (0.2 Ω cm) and ultralight weight (1.

Co-digestion of microalgae with potato processing waste and glycerol: effect of glycerol addition on methane production and the microbial community.

The production of methane-rich biogas from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of microalgae is limited by an unfavorable biomass carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio; however, this may be ameliorated using a co-digestion strategy with carbon-rich feedstocks. For reliable plant operation, and to improve the economics of the process, secure co-feedstock supply (ideally as a waste-stream) is important. To this end, this study investigated the feasibility of co-digesting microalgae () with potato processing waste (potato discarded parts, PPW; potato peel, PPW) and glycerol, while monitoring the response of the methanogenic community.

Mesoscopic open-eye core-shell spheroid carved anode/cathode electrodes for fully reversible and dynamic lithium-ion battery models.

We report on the key influence of mesoscopic super-open-eye core-shell spheroids of TiO- and LiFePO-wrapped nanocarbon carved anode/cathode electrodes with uniform interior accommodation/storage pockets for the creation of fully reversible and dynamic Li-ion power battery (LIB) models. The mesoscopic core-shell anode/cathode electrodes provide potential half- and full-cell LIB-CR2032 configuration designs, and large-scale pouch models. In these variable mesoscopic LIB models, the broad-free-access and large-open-eye like gate-in-transport surfaces featured electrodes are key factors of built-in LIBs with excellent charge/discharge capacity, energy density performances, and outstanding cycling stability.

Stability studies of ZnO and AlN thin film acoustic wave devices in acid and alkali harsh environments.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices based on piezoelectric thin-films such as ZnO and AlN are widely used in sensing, microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip applications. However, for many of these applications, the SAW devices will inevitably be used in acid or alkali harsh environments, which may cause their early failures. In this work, we investigated the behavior and degradation mechanisms of thin film based SAW devices in acid and alkali harsh environments.

A high performance surface acoustic wave visible light sensor using novel materials: BiS nanobelts.

Low dimensional BiS materials are excellent for use in photodetectors with excellent stability and fast response time. In this work, we developed a visible light sensor with good performance based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices using BiS nanobelts as the sensing materials. The SAW delay-line sensor was fabricated on ST-cut quartz with a designed wavelength of 15.

Graphene oxide-Au nano particle coated quartz crystal microbalance biosensor for the real time analysis of carcinoembryonic antigen.

A label-free quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor was developed for the selective and real-time estimation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) through the present study. Graphene oxide-Au nanoparticles (GO-AuNPs) was synthesised on the surface of the QCM electrode and the antibody of CEA (monoclonal anti-CEA from mouse) was covalently immobilized on this layer as the bioreceptor for CEA. Mercaptoacetic acid-EDC-NHS reaction mechanism was used for anti-CEA immobilization.

Reducing series resistance in CuZnSn(S,Se) nanoparticle ink solar cells on flexible molybdenum foil substrates.

Earth abundant CuZnSnS nanoparticle inks were deposited on molybdenum foil substrates and subsequently converted to high quality thin film CuZnSn(S,Se) photovoltaic absorbers. Integration of these absorbers within a thin film solar cell device structure yields a solar energy conversion efficiency which is comparable to identical devices processed on rigid glass substrates. Importantly, this is only achieved when a thin layer of molybdenum is first applied directly to the foil.

Modelling the Ecological Comorbidity of Acute Respiratory Infection, Diarrhoea and Stunting among Children Under the Age of 5 Years in Somalia.

The aim of this study was to assess spatial co-occurrence of acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhoea and stunting among children of the age between 6 and 59 months in Somalia. Data were obtained from routine biannual nutrition surveys conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization 2007-2010. A Bayesian hierarchical geostatistical shared component model was fitted to the residual spatial components of the three health conditions.